I HAVE CATARACTS, AM I READY FOR SURGERY?

If you live long enough you will develop a cataract.  This is when the internal eye lens becomes cloudy and hard.  Cataracts can develop from normal aging, from an eye injury, or if you have taken medications known as steroids.  Cataracts may cause blurred vision, dulled vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and/or ghost images.  If vision changes interferes with your daily life, the cataract may need to be removed. Cataract surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.  You can decide not to have the cataract surgery, your vision loss from the cataract will continue to get worse.

HOW WILL REMOVING THE CATARACT AFFECT MY VISION?

Correcting the decreased vision and lessen your dependency on glasses or contact lens is the goal of cataract surgery.  During the surgery, Dr. Aaron J. Affleck (the ophthalmologist or eye surgeon) removes the cataract and puts in a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL.  The IOL will be left in the eye permanently.  Cataract surgery will not correct other causes of decreased vision, such as glaucoma, diabetes, or age-related macular degeneration.  At Affleck, M.D. Eye Care we strongly recommend using an advanced IOL (PanOptix). Most people who do not still need to wear glasses or contact lens after cataract surgery for either near and/or distance vision and astigmatism.

EXAMINATIONS PRIOR TO SURGERY

If you agree to have the surgery, you will undergo a personalized complete eye examination by Aaron J. Affleck, M. D.  This may include an examination to determine your eyeglass prescription (refraction), measurement of your vision with and without glasses (visual acuity), measurement of the pressures inside your eye (tonometry), measurement of the curvature of your cornea (keratometry), ultrasonic measurement of the length of your eye (axial length), intraocular lens calculation (biometry) to determine the best estimate of the proper power of the implanted IOL, microscopic examination of the front part of your eye (slit-lamp examination), and examination of the retina of your eye with your pupils dilated.

Dr. Affleck goes beyond the standard test requirements to ensure the most accurate calculations/measurements.

For Best Results...

STOP WEARING CONTACT LENSES PRIOR TO MEASUREMENTS  AND SURGERY

Stop wearing rigid (including gas permeable and standard hard) contacts lenses for at least six weeks before receiving measurements for your IOL and before cataract surgery.  If you wear soft contact lenses ask Dr. Affleck how long to stop wearing them before measurements and surgery.

HOW DO CONTACT LENSES EFFECT MY SURGERY RESULTS?

If you wear rigid or hard contact lenses, you must leave them out of your eyes for a period of time before your preoperative eye examination and before your surgery.  This is done because the contact lens rests on the cornea and distorts its shape, which can effect the accuracy of the measurements of the IOL power.  When you stop wearing your contact lenses, the corneas can return to their natural shape.

Step of cataract removal
No-stitch, small incision technique; improves patient's comfort and reduces recovery time

Description & Process

ANESTHESIA AND PROCEDURE

Numbing eye drops and other light sedation will be administered to you before your surgery.

An incision, or opening, is then made in the eye.  It is so small no stitches are required to close it.  Next the natural lens in your eye will then be removed  with a technique called phacoemulsification, which uses a ultrasonic probe to break the lens up into small pieces.  Next, these pieces are gently suctioned out of your eye.  After your natural lens is removed, the IOL is placed inside your eye.  You will want to speak to Dr. Affleck about your IOL options.  Dependency on glasses or contacts will normally be determined by the type of IOL the patient selects.

POST-SURGERICAL CARE

Your eye will be examined the day after surgery by Dr. Affleck, and then at intervals determined by Dr. Affleck.  During the immediate recovery period, you will place over the counter lubrications drops in your eyes as needed.  The medication Dr. Affleck placed in your eye during surgery my cause a little blurriness for about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your individual rate of healing.  If you have chosen monovision or a multifocal IOL to reduce your dependency on glasses or contacts, they may still be required either for further improvement in your distance vision, reading vision, or both.  You should be able to resume your normal activities within 2 or 3 days, and your eye will usually be stable within 3 to 6 weeks.  Some individuals may take up to three months.  When Dr. Affleck feels healing is satisfactory, glasses or contact lenses could be prescribed if needed.

  • Rest your eyes for 3 to 4 hours after surgery or take a nap
  • After the anesthetic drops wear off you may experience one or all of the following: Foreign body sensation (i.e. the feeling of an eyelash in your eye), Irritated or scratchy sensation, Mild burning and/or stinging, Tearing, or Light sensitivity. These are normal sensations & will be gone after approximately 1 week. You should not have pain, however, if needed; take 2 Tylenol tablets every 4 hours to relieve any discomfort.
  • Use artificial tears (or lubricant drops) in operative eye as needed for comfort.
  • Your eye may appear red or bloodshot; you may also experience temporary floaters or shadows in your peripheral vision in your post-operative eye. All of this should lessen as your eye heals.
  • Do not bump or rub your operated eye.
  • Keep make-up, soap and water out of operated eye for 1 week.
  • Do not lift over 25 lbs or do dirty work (i.e. gardening) and keep your head above your heart for 1 week.
  • Stay out of hot tubs or pools for 2 weeks.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Ask Aaron J. Affleck, M.D.

It all starts with an exam with Dr. Affleck. Call us at at 208-523-6868! 

You need to be at least 18 years of age, have a stable eyeglass prescription for at least one year (ideally 2 years), be in good general health, and have not been pregnant or nursing in the last six months.  Also NOT become pregnant in the upcoming six months.  In addition have no progressive history of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, or certain retinal and optic nerve diseases. Other conditions will be explained after the screening.

Your cornea shape can be changed from wearing contact lenses.  Depending on the type of contact, it takes 2 to 8 weeks after you have stopped using them for the shape of the cornea to return to its natural state.  Negative consequences can result from not leaving your contact lenses out long enough and your cornea not assuming its natural shape before treatment.

Care Credit

Your Lasik/PRK dilated exam, pre-operative appointment, surgical kit, treatment, and a minimum of 6 post operative exams. (You need to be seen one day, one week, one month, three months, six months and one year after your treatment).  If your care requires more visits those will be included along with any enhancements for 12 months after your treatment.

We recommend you not work the day of your treatment.  The Affleck Eye Care staff will also inform you of other activity restrictions.   Normally you may return to work the following day after your post operative exam. However, your activities must allow you to stop and frequently apply lubricant drops.

Before treatment, contact lens wear is restricted before your dilated Lasik/PRK exam and strongly recommended before your treatment.  Afterwards, there are restrictions on swimming, using hot tubs, stressing your eyes, and wearing make-up.  For the first 24 hours after treatment your eyes may be sensitive to light, blurry or cloudy so plan your activities accordingly.  Consult our staff for all the restrictions.

By law all testimonials must have disclosures of relationship and sponsorship. Please click here to learn more   ♦This testimonial was given by a family member or close friend.  For more details contact Stephanie at 208-523-6868